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LOK SABHA

28th November, 2002

A combined service operation (Operation Leech) was undertaken in February 1998 to intercept arms deliveries meant for Indian insurgent groups in the northeast. In this operation, 73 foreign nationals were apprehended and 138 weapons along with a large quantity of ammunitions were recovered.

On the basis of certain information and in view of the possible international ramifications of this operation, it was considered desirable that investigations into this episode be carried out by a Central Investigating Agency. Accordingly CBI was directed to take over the investigation. The investigation is still on.

However, as no evidence could come forth during the investigation against 37 fishermen, a report under Section 169 CrPC was filed by the CBI and the fishermen were discharged by the CJM on May 07, 1999. The remaining 36 militants who were lodged in jail in Port Blair were released from judicial custody on Oct 14, 1999. They are at present lodged in a building in Port Blair as they do not have any travel documents.

The investigation by the CBI is continuing.

This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Ramjivan Singh and others in Lok Sabha today.